Partner Article

UK’s September trade deficit slows

THE UK’s trade deficit narrowed slightly in September, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The UK’s deficit on trade in goods and services was £4.6bn, compared with a deficit of £4.9bn in August.

The trade gap shrank to £8.23bn from £8.47bn.

It was the second monthly improvement since the deficit hit a five-year high in July.

However, separate figures showed growth in manufacturing output slowed to 0.1% from 0.4% in August.

This was the weakest growth in manufacturing for five months.

The wider measure of industrial production - which includes mining, oil, gas and utilities - grew by 0.4% in September, with August’s growth rate being upwardly revised to 0.4%.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .